Method and apparatus for distributing a signal

ABSTRACT

A network is disclosed for distributing a signal from a single source (18) to each of 2 n  (20 1 , 20 2  . . . 20 2n  where n is an integer, such that the signals supplied to the loads each have substantially the same phase and amplitude. The network comprises 2 n  paths (22 1 , 22 2  . . . 22 2n ), each coupling the source to a separate one of the loads. Each path is comprised of 2n+1 serially coupled segments 24 1 , 24 4  . . . 24 2n+1 ) with 2n-1 of the segments (24 1 , 24 4  . . . 24 2n-1 ) of each branch being common to another path. The segments in each path have corresponding impedances (Z 1 , Z 2  . . . Z 2n+1 ), respectively, which are selected so that each load is substantially matched to the source and that the internal reflection of the signals within each path is minimized.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a technique for distributing a signal from a single source to a plurality of separate loads.

BACKGROUND ART

In many electronic systems, a single clock signal is split into a plurality of output signals for distribution to a plurality of circuits so each can operate in synchronism with the others. One technique for distributing a signal to a plurality of loads is to utilize a "daisy chain" network consisting of a single line having a plurality of outputs at spaced intervals therealong. A disadvantage of the daisy chain network is that when a signal is launched into a first end of the line, the signal at each output is progressively delayed by an interval proportional to the physical distance of the output from the first end of the line. The propagation delay suffered by each of the output signals can be critical, especially when the frequency of the clock signal exceeds 200 MHz. Thus the daisy chain network is not well suited for distributing a high-frequency clock signal to each of a plurality of loads where each load is to receive a signal having substantially the same amplitude and phase.

A single clock signal also may be distributed to a plurality of loads via a "cluster" network. A typical cluster network consists of a plurality of equal length lines, each carrying a signal from the source to each of the loads which are situated so as to lie along the locus of a circle. The cluster network, whose transmission lines resemble the spokes of a wheel, is often not suitable for many applications because of geometrical constraints. Moreover, as the number of lines within the cluster network increases, the characteristic impedance of each line, as seen by the signal source, decreases, causing a mismatch. The existence of a mismatch gives rise to signal reflections which will likely cause a significant distortion of the amplitude of each output signal.

Thus, there is a need for a technique for distributing a signal from a single source to each of a plurality of loads such that the signal supplied to each load has substantially the same amplitude and phase.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, in accordance with the invention, a network is provided for distributing a signal from a single source to each of 2^(n) loads, where n is an integer ≧0, such that the signals supplied to the loads each have substantially the same phase and amplitude. The network comprises 2^(n) paths, each coupling the source to a separate one of the loads. Each path is comprised of 2n+1 serially coupled segments L₁, L₂ . . . L_(2n+1) with each of the segments L₁, L₂ . . . L_(2n-1) of each path being common to another path. The segments L₁, L₂ . . . L_(2n+1) in each path have corresponding inpedances Z₁, Z₂ . . . Z_(2n+1), respectively, which are selected so that each load is substantially matched to the source and that internal reflection of the signals within each path is minimized.

In a preferred embodiment, the segment impedances are obtained by first selecting values which satisfy the following relationships: ##EQU1## where Z_(s) and Z_(L) are the impedance of the source and each of the 2^(n) loads, respectively. Thereafter, each of the values is scaled in accordance with the number of paths common to the corresponding segment.

It is not possible to first select a unique value for the impedances Z₁, Z₂ . . . Z_(2n+1) of the segments L₁, L₂ . . . L_(2n+1), respectively, using Eqs. (1) and (2). Rather, the impedances Z₁, Z₂ . . . Z_(2n-1) of the segments L₁, L₂ . . . L_(2n-1), respectively, can be arbitrarily chosen, and the initial values for the impedances Z_(2n) and Z_(2n+1) are obtained using Eqs. (1) and (2). Thereafter the values must be scaled as described. In selecting the initial values for the impedances Z₁ Z₂ . . . Z_(2n-1), care must be taken so the final set of impedances Z₁, Z₂ . . . Z_(2n+1) for the segments L₂, L₂ . . . L_(2n+1), respectively, is physically realizable.

In applications where a high-frequency digital clock signal is to be supplied to each of a plurality of electrical circuits, the network of the present invention can be realized on a printed circuit board. Each path of the network is comprised of 2n+1 serially connected metallized areas, each having a width and length such that each load is matched to the source.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a block schematic diagram of an m-section transmission line which couples a signal source to a load;

FIG. 2 shows a waveform of the signal from the signal source of FIG. 1 as it appears at the load;

FIG. 3 shows a block schematic diagram of a network in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is an example of how the network of FIG. 4 may be realized in a printed circuit board.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

To appreciate the details of the present invention, a general understanding of transmission lines will prove helpful. In this regard, reference should be made to FIG. 1, which illustrates a conventional, prior art transmission line 10 coupled between a voltage source 12 and a load 14. As shown, the transmission line 10 is comprised of m individual segments (where m is an integer) 10₁, 10₂ . . . 10_(m), whose length and impedance are given by a corresponding one of the terms L₁, L₂ . . . L_(m), and Z₁, Z₂ . . . Z_(m), respectively. The source 12 and the load 14 have associated impedances Z_(s) and Z_(L), respectively.

Depending on the degree of impedance mismatch between the transmission line 10 and the source 12, a step pulse entering the line from the source will be partly reflected back to the source and partly transmitted to the load 12. Within the transmission line 10, an impedance mismatch between each of the individual segments 10₁, 10₂ . . . 10_(m) will cause the signal passing from the segment 10_(i) to the segment 10_(i+1) to be partially reflected and partially transmitted. The magnitude of the signal received at the load 14, as measured over time, equals the summation of all the signal components which successively arrive at the load. If each of the segments 10₁, 10₂ . . . 10_(m) is assumed to be loss-less, then the magnitude of the voltage, V_(out) arriving at the load, will be given by ##EQU2## and:

V_(s) is the magnitude of the pulse produced by the source, u(t) is the unit step function representing the pulse;

ν_(i) is the velocity of the signal propagating through the element 10_(i), T_(i) is the time required for the pulse to propagate through the segment 10_(i) :

τ_(i),i+1 is the transmission coefficient for the signal propagating from the segment 10_(i) to the segment 10_(i+1) ; and

Υ_(i),i+1 is the reflection coefficient for the signal reflected back from the segment 10_(i) at the interface of the segment 10_(i-1).

The double summation term in Eq. (3) represents the contribution of those portions of the signal pulse which undergo a twofold reflection before arriving at the load 14. It should be understood that portions of the signal component may undergo more than two reflections but that these higher order reflections are not represented in Eq. (3) for purposes of simplicity. To appreciate the complexity of accounting for higher order refections, Eq. (9) contains all of the terms necessary to account for those portions of the signal which undergo a fourfold reflection. ##EQU3## Generally it is only necessary to account for the twofold signal reflections in order to accurately model the transmission line 10. Only those portions of the signals from the source 12 which undergo an even number of reflections arrive at the load 14.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a waveform of the pulse from the source 12 as it appears at the load 14. The waveform of FIG. 2 is comprised of a forward edge, a transition region and then a region where the waveform has a steady state. The voltage magnitude of the first edge may be larger or smaller than the steady state voltage which is solely determined by the impedances Z₁, Z₂ . . . Z_(m) of the elements 10₁, 10₂ . . . 10_(m), respectively.

When the width of the pulse produced by the source 12 is on the order of the width of the transition region, then any ripples present in the transition region will lead to distortion in the signal reaching the load 14. To eliminate such ripples, the voltage difference between the first arriving edge and the steady state portion of the pulse must be eliminated. This can be accomplished by selecting the impedances Z₁, Z₂ . . . Z_(m) such that Z₁ =Z₂ =Z₃ = . . . Z_(m) =Z_(L). Under these conditions, the voltage magnitude of the arriving edge will equal the steady state voltage magnitude.

Eliminating the voltage difference between the first arriving edge and the steady state portion of the signal of FIG. 2 may not eliminate ringing within the transition portion caused by internal signal reflections between the segments 10₁, 10₂ . . . 10_(m). The physical processes associated with the internal reflections within the line 10 are very involved, making it difficult to draw any useful insight from the mathematical expressions describing such reflections. However, by judicious selection of the impedances Z₁, Z₂ . . . Z_(m) of the segments 10₁, 10₂ . . . 10_(m), respectively, the components of the signal in the transmission line 10 which undergo mulitiple reflections can be made to cancel each other out.

In order to obtain a simple analytical formula which allows the impedances Z₁, Z₂ . . . Z_(m) to be optimized, it will be useful to assume that each of the segments 10₁, 10₂ . . . 10_(m) of the line 10 has the same electrical length. Therefore, each of the segments 10₁, 10₂ . . . 10_(m) is assumed to have the same propagation delay T. Thus, the components of the signal launched into the line 10 which undergo a twofold reflection at both ends of the line arrive at the same time. In order to eliminate the ripple wave which arrives 2T after the first wave, the sum of these two signals is set equal to zero, yielding: ##EQU4## If we also impose the requirement that the voltage magnitude of the first arriving edge be the same as the steady state magnitude, then the following relationship must be satisfied: ##EQU5##

Equations (10) and (11) contain m unknown quantities, namely, Z₁, Z₂ . . . Z_(m). Therefore, there is no unique solution for Z₁, Z₂ . . . Z_(m). To arrive at a solution, arbitrary values are assigned to each of m-2of the impedances Z₁, Z₂ . . . Z_(m) while the remaining two impedances are computed in accordance with Eqs. (10) and (11).

It is possible to use the technique thus described to eliminate the ripple caused by higher order reflected signals. However, as indicated, the mathematical relationship for each higher order signal is far more complex. For most practical applications, elimination of the first order reflected signal will serve to assure that a high-quality output signal is present at the load 14.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of a network 16, in accordance with the invention, for distributing a signal from a source 18 to 2^(n) (where n is an integer ≧0) loads 20₁, 20₂ . . . 20₂.spsb.n, such that the signals supplied to the loads have substantially the same phase and amplitude. In a preferred embodiment, n=4, so that the network 16 connects the source 18, which has an internal impedance of Z_(s), to each of sixteen separate loads 20₁, 10₂ . . . 10₁₆, each having an impedance Z_(L).

The network 16 comprises 2^(n) path, 22₁, 22₂ . . . 22₂.spsb.n, each path comprised of 2n+1 individual segments 24₁, 24₂ . . . 24_(2n+1). All of the paths 22₁, 22₂ . . . 22₂.spsb.n have the segment 24₁ in common with each other. Further, the segments 24₁, 24₂ . . . 24_(2n-1) of each of the paths 22₁, 22₂ . . . 22₂ ^(n) are common to an adjacent paths. For example, when n=4, there will be sixteen individual paths 22₁, 22₂, 22₃, 22₄, 22₅, 22₆, 22₇, 22₈, 22₉, 22₁₀, 22₁₁, 22₁₂, 22₁₃, 22₁₄, 22₁₅, and 22₁₆, each linking a separate one of the loads 20₁ . . . 20₁₆, respectively, to the source 18. The first path 22₁ is comprised of the segments 24₁, 24₂, 24₃, 24₄, 24₅, 24₆, 24₇, 24₈, and 24₉. The second path 22₂ is also comprised of the segments 24₁, 24₂, 24₃, 24₄, 24₅, 24₆, 24₇, 24₈, and 24₉ with the segments 24₁ . . . 24₇ being in common with the path 22₁. The paths 22₃ . . . 22₂₆ are each likewise comprised of the segments 24₁ . . . 24₉, with the segments 24₁ . . . 24₇ of each path being in common with the same segments of an adjacent path. The network 16 is realized by cascading 2^(n) -1 split T junctions, each having an input leg which forms a segment 24_(i) common to at least a pair of paths 22_(i) and 22_(i+1), and a pair of output legs, each forming the segment 24_(i+1) of a separate one of two adjacent paths where i=1, 2, 3 . . . 2^(n).

As may be appreciated, each of the paths 22₁, 22₂ . . . 22₂.spsb.n can be thought of as a 2n=1 segment transmission line having electrical characteristics identical to the transmission line 10 of FIG. 1. Thus, it is possible to use equations (10) and (11) to establish the impedances Z₁, Z₂ . . . Z_(2n+1). However, it should be recognized that when employing the equations (10) and (11), the segments 24₁, 24₂ . . . 24_(2n-1) are common to the branches 22₁ -22₂.spsb.n-1, 22₂ -22₂.spsb.n-1, . . . 22₂.spsb.n-1 -22₂.spsb.n-1. To account for this fact, it is necessary, when selecting values for the impedances of the segments 24₁, 24₂ . . . 24_(2n-1) to use values which have been scaled relative to the impedances Z₁ -Z_(n) of the line 10. The scaling is dependent on the number of paths 22₁, 22₂ . . . 22₂.spsb.n to which each of the segments 24₁, 24₂ . . . 24_(2n-1) is common. For example, if a given value x has been chosen for the impedance Z₁ of the segments 24₁ to satisfy Eqs. (10) and (11), then the proper scaling factor will be 1/2^(n) to account for the fact that the segments 24₁ is common to all of the 2^(n) paths 22₁, 22₂ . . . 22₂.spsb.n. In a similar manner, the scaling factor for the impedance Z₂ of the segments 24₂ which is common to 2^(n-1) of the paths is 1/2^(n-1).

It should be noted that Eqs. (10) and (11) do not uniquely prescribe the impedances Z₁, Z₂ . . . Z_(2n+1) of the segments 24₁, 24₂ . . . 24_(2n+1), respectively, for the same reason that the equations to not uniquely prescribe the impedances Z₁, Z₂ . . . Z_(m) for the segments 10₁, 10₂ . . . 10_(m) of FIG. 1. Rather, when constructing the network 16, all but two of the impedances Z₁, Z₂ . . . Z_(2n+1) are arbitrarily selected, with the remaining two impedances being determined using Eqs. (10) and (11). Thereafter, the values are scaled as required. The only constraint on selecting 2n-1 of the impedances Z₁, Z₂ . . . Z_(2n+1) is that all the impedances Z₁, Z₂ . . . Z_(2n+1) must be physically realizable.

Referring to FIG. 4, the network 16 of FIG. 3 may be physically realized on a printed circuit board 26. The segments 24₁, 24₂ . . . 24_(2n+1) of each of the paths 22₁, 22₂ . . . 22₂.spsb.n of the network 16 shown in FIG. 4 take the form of metallized paths on the circuit board 26 which are connected in series to form each path. The width and the length of the metallized paths which form the segments 24₁, 24₂ . . . 24_(2n+1) in each path are such that the impedances Z₁, Z₂ . . . Z_(2n+1), prior to scaling, satisfy Eqs. (10) and (11). Rather than directly connect the segment 24_(2n+1) of each of the paths 22₁, 22₂ . . . 22₂.spsb.n to a separate one of the loads 20₁, 20₂ . . . 20₂.spsb.n, each of a set of coupling transformers 28₁, 28.sub. 2 . . . 28₂ ^(n) is interposed between the segment and the load to achieve a closer impedance match. Table 1 below lists an exemplary set of impedance values for the segments 24₁, 24₂ . . . 24₉ of each of the sixteen paths 22₁, 22₂ . . . 22₁₆ of the network 16 on the circuit board 26 when the source 18 and the loads 20₁, 20₂ . . . 20₁₆ have a characteristic impedance of 50 ohms, and the transformers 28₁, 28₂ . . . 28₁₆ input and output impedance of 150 and 50 ohms, respectively.

                  TABLE 1                                                          ______________________________________                                                 Z.sub.1                                                                              10                                                                       Z.sub.2,Z.sub.3                                                                      17.5                                                                     Z.sub.4,Z.sub.5                                                                      25                                                                       Z.sub.6,Z.sub.7                                                                      17                                                                       Z.sub.8,Z.sub.9                                                                      50                                                               ______________________________________                                    

As may now be appreciated, the network 16 of the present invention has several advantages over the daisy chain and cluster networks of the prior art. First, each of the paths 22₁, 22₂ . . . 22₂.spsb.n has the same electrical length which virtually eliminates propagation delays. Secondly, because the network 16 is arranged in a tree-like structure, with each of its paths 22₁, 22₂ . . . 22₂.spsb.n having one or more of its links 24₁, 24₂ . . . 24_(2n+1) in common, impedance mismatches between the source 18 and each of the loads 20₁, 20₂ . . . 20₂.spsb.n are reduced, as compared to the prior art cluster network.

It is to be understood that the above-described embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles of the invention. Various modifications and changes may be made thereto by those skilled in the art which will embody the principles of the invention and fall within the spirit and scope thereof. For example, while the network 16 has been described in connection with distributing electrical signals, the network could also be utilized to distribute other types of electromagnetic radiation, provided that the paths 22₁, 22₂ . . . 22₂.spsb.n and the segments 24₁, 24₂ . . . 24_(2n+1) are suitably configured. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A network for distributing a signal from a single source to 2^(n) loads (where n is an integer ≧0), consisting of 2^(n) paths of approximately the same electrical length, each coupling a source to a separate one of the loads, the paths each consisting of 2n+1 serially connected segments L₁, L₂ . . . L_(2n+1), respectively, with the segments L₁, L₂ . . . L_(2n-1) of each path being common to another of the paths, the segments L₁, L₂ . . . L_(2n+1) having corresponding impedances Z₁, Z₂ . . . Z_(2n+1), respectively, which are selected such that each load is substantially matched to the source and the internal signal reflections within the branch are minimized.
 2. The network according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the impedances Z₁, Z₂ . . . Z_(2n+1) of the segments L₁, L₂ . . . L_(2n+1) are determined by first selecting values therefor which satisfy: ##EQU6## and then scaling the value by the number of paths which are common to the coresponding segments.
 3. The network according to claim 1, wherein each network comprises a printed circuit board with each of the segments L₁, L₂ . . . L_(2n+1) of each of the 2^(n) paths being a separate one of a plurality of metallized areas on the circuit board.
 4. An interconnection apparatus for connecting a source of electrical signals to each of 2^(n) (where n is an integer ≧0) electrical loads, consisting of:a substrate having a network of metallized paths formed thereon, the netowrk containing only 2^(n) paths each path being of approximately the same electrical length and comprised of only 2n+1 serially connected metallized segments L₁, L₂ . . . L_(2n+1), the segments L₁, L₂ . . . L_(2n-1) of each path being common to another path, the segments L₁, L₂ . . . L_(2n+1) within each path being of an impedance Z₁, Z₂ . . . Z_(2n+1), respectively, such that each load is substantially matched to the source and there is no substantially internal reflection of signals within each path. 